A gas reciprocating power plant with a capacity of 86 MW and a combined heat and power plant with a capacity of 250 MW is to be built in Moldova in order to improve energy security.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development reports that this is stipulated, among other things, by the published concept of the Energy Strategy of Moldova until 2050, the clear objective of which is to create a competitive and sustainable energy sector based on 5 strategic objectives: improvement of energy security; development of competitive energy markets and regional integration; promotion of energy efficiency; development of sustainable renewable energy sources; consumer protection. According to the department, in particular, to increase energy security of Moldova it is planned to build a gas reciprocating power plant with 86 MW capacity to increase balancing capacities of the energy system and integrate more intermittent, renewable generating capacities, as well as to build a combined heat and power plant (cogeneration) with steam-gas cycle with 250 MW capacity. In addition, it is planned to complete the construction of a 400 kV high voltage transmission line Vulcanesti-Chisinau and the construction of a new 400 kV high voltage transmission line Balti-Suceava. It is planned to analyze the feasibility of interconnection projects between Moldova and Romania, Smardan-Vulcanesti and Balti-Dnistrovsk; to strengthen the national gas transportation system and facilitate gas transit to Ukrainian gas storages; to develop the infrastructure for storing reserve fuel for power plants; to create strategic/security stocks of natural gas and oil products. At the same time, as part of the development of competitive energy markets and regional integration, there are plans to complete the process of unbundling the Transmission System Operator (TSO) to ensure proper third-party access to the natural gas transmission network; designate an electricity market operator; launch day-ahead and real-time markets in the electricity sector; and use the ENTSO-E developed platforms to exchange balancing and system services. At the same time, to improve energy efficiency, it is envisaged to energy rehabilitate 404,000 square meters of residential buildings per year; energy rehabilitate 174,000 square meters of public buildings per year; electrify the heating sector by phasing out resistance radiators and inefficient biomass stoves and replacing them with heat pumps; introduce smart metering systems; upgrade the district heating distribution and transportation network; create initiatives to support an increase in the number of electric vehicles to 46,000 by 2030; create initiatives to support the transition of urban public transport or freight transport to hybrid or electric vehicles; introduce mandatory energy audits for large companies, apply the ISO 50001 energy management standard. To promote sustainable development, renewable energy sources and low emissions, the concept of the Energy Strategy of Moldova until 2050 suggests: construction of photovoltaic parks with a total capacity of 200 MW; construction of wind farms with a total capacity of 250 MW; construction of biogas/biomass power plants with a total capacity of 65 MW; construction of power plants for waste disposal with a total capacity of 20 MW; construction of electric energy storage systems with batteries with a capacity of 85 MW until 2035; sustainable development of the biomass sector by promoting the establishment of energy plantations; transposition and implementation of regulations on renewable energy communities; introduction of net billing and simplification of connection of large industrial power plants (producing for own consumption). // 25.11.2022 - InfoMarket.
